HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- In what could be likened to a local business version of getting someone's chocolate in your peanut butter, a pair of Huntsville-based companies have combined their services with a collective eye on success.

LSINC, a woman-owned, small business that provides leadership strategy consulting services, has acquired Inergi, a provider of product development, engineering services and strategic communications.

The two have a natural synergy in what they offer to help clients not only realize their potential but take their products from concept to market, according to CEO Alicia Ryan.

The move is a "perfect fit," Ryan said. "LSINC can perform the early analysis needed to identify a product's market potential, evaluate the competitive landscape and recommend internal corporate changes needed to capitalize on the opportunity.

"Inergi's development team can take a product from idea to reality through outstanding industrial design, engineering, prototyping and product strategy expertise."

In an unusual twist, last year Austin Boyd, then-CEO of Inergi, hired Ryan for an analysis of his company's business lines.

Now, she's his boss. Boyd is LSINC's senior vice president for business growth.

The irony did not escape Davis Lee, a partner in LSINC and owner of Inergi.

Lee said the combination of the two companies would be a success, positioned to better serve leaders of all types.

"The LSINC folks have been successful," he said. "The Inergi folks are running hard."I'm excited about the opportunities for these two teams to come together."

Boyd credited Lee with being the "catalyst" for the company and also is confident about the partnership.

"Both LSINC and Inergi have incredible, collaborative teams," he said. "Inergi's clients will continue to receive the same outstanding services ... while having access to LSINC's array of strategic consulting capabilities."

Mayor Tommy Battle, on hand at the announcement, said he, too, expects good things from the new company.

"It's exciting when you see two dynamic business leaders (Ryan and Lee) coming together," he said. "It's very exciting for the city of Huntsville and the whole North Alabama area."

The company will combine LSINC's 13 employees with Inergi's staff of 33 at the former Inergi headquarters in the old Martin Industries plant on Governors Drive. Ryan recognized the Inergi employees who are now in the LSINC fold.

"If it wasn't for you," she said at Wednesday's announcement, "we wouldn't be here today."

And Lee apparently isn't slowing down with this most recent acquisition.

"We're not going to stop in Huntsville," he said. "This was a little guy buying a big guy.

"We're going to find a big guy. With he (Boyd) and Alicia combined, watch out. Here we come."